At the time of the video, McConnell was serving a five-year suspension from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Applying the chemicals is a practice known as soring and is a way to force the horses, because of pain, to lift their legs higher when they walk. The walk, known as the “Big Lick,” is prized in Walking Horse competitions.

McConnell and three others face a 52-count federal indictment in Chattanooga on charges of violating the Horse Protection Act. Soring is illegal under state and federal law. McConnell has filed paperwork with the court stating that he intends to plead guilty to one count of the indictment.

Association board member Link Webb said Friday that the organization was going to wait to decide what to do with McConnell’s license until the outcome of his court case.

But after the video aired on Nightline, the association decided to take action, Webb said.

In addition, the association’s board expects to meet Wednesday to adopt a set of education standards needed before obtaining a trainer’s license, Webb said. The new rules will likely include a requirement that trainers pass a class on the Horse Protection Act, he said.